Sunday, November 06, 2011

New HeinOnline One-Box Search Feature

HeinOnline has recently introduced a new enhancement called the One-Box Search option. It appears on the HeinOnline welcome page and was created to begin research when users are not sure which collection would be the correct option to start researching in. The One-Box search allows users to search across all of the subscribed libraries at the same time and also acts as an advanced search box. Click here to access the advanced search guidelines brochure and click here to begin using this feature.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Friday, November 04, 2011

Law Student 24/7 Swipe Card Access HAS CHANGED

You will now use our main library doors to gain access to the library at all times.

This means to enter the Library after hours, law students MUST USE THE LIBRARY FRONT DOORS ONLY .

The door by the Office of Academic Records will no longer work.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

GAO Reports

If you are looking for reliable sources for your research papers, don't overlook GAO reports. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress, investigating how the federal government spends its money and working to increase government performance and accountability. The GAO issues about 800 reports each year, either at the request of Congress or as required by federal laws. In the past month alone, the GAO released law-related reports on topics ranging from consumer product safety and health care pricing to the Federal Reserve System's assistance to AIG (American International Group, Inc.) during the recent financial crisis. Available in PDF on the agency's web site, GAO reports are searchable by keyword or report number, and can be browsed under the "Reports and Testimonies" tab by topic and date.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Monday, October 31, 2011

Hein Online: A Research Tip

One can search Hein Online, but as the search functions are different from Google, Lexis and Westlaw one has to learn how to construct search queries for this database. It is not difficult, just different.

Tip: Use a tilde ~ plus a number as a proximity connector. Example, (criminal juvenile justice)~15 means that the words within the parenthesis - "criminal" "juvenile" and "justice" - are to be within 15 words of each other.

If the search is run in the entire database, methods to filter the search results will be to the left of the results list.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Federal Court Opinions on FDSYS

FDsys is the upgraded free online access system from the U.S. Government Printing Office that aims to provide official federal government publications. Many lawyers and law students use FDsys to access the U.S. Code, CFR and Federal Register. Recently, FDsys has added federal court opinions to its system in a pilot program. Currently FDsys provides PDFs of federal decisions for three courts from 2004 to the present (the number of courts will be expanding). The full text of the cases can be searched by party name, court name, case number, nature of suit and other search options. Read the full announcement here and access the decisions here.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Friday, October 28, 2011

Voting for Judges

Here in New York we elect our Judges. You understand the critical role judges play in our legal system, having read dozens of cases (or is it thousands?). Even though I cannot vote (voting rights for Virtual Cats???), I have found a great site to be informed about judicial candidates - New York State Judicial Candidate Voter Guide .

And, if you are confused (as I was) about the different courts and districts in Nassau County, you can read a brief description on the same page. For more detail on the court system, link to New York State Courts - an Introductory Guide . The first few pages have a great explanation of the jurisdiction of the various courts.

Make sure you go out and vote! I would if I could.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

PridePrint

Attention All Students,

Do you have a PC laptop/notebook computer or an Apple MacBook laptop and use the Hofstra Wireless network? Then you can print your documents from your computer to either of our two wireless printers located in the Law School using the PridePrint software.

You can download and install the PridePrint software for the Hofstra Law School specific printers by going to http://law.hofstra.edu/prideprint (you will need to login to the Hofstra Portal with your Hofstra username and password). The software supports Windows 7, Vista and XP as well as MAC Lion, Snow Leopard and Leopard operating systems.

One PridePrint wireless printer is located in the 24 hour first floor lab, while the other printer is located in the Law Library, outside of the 24 Hour lab near the public access workstations. You do not need a card swipe for either printer. The PridePrint software automatically deducts the print amount from your account. Remember, the Hofstra Law School printers only charge 5 cents per single sided page.

If you have any questions on this, please contact us at either lawhelp@hofstra.edu or by phone at (516) 463-4192.

Dean Moore

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Research Resources: GlobaLex

Published by the Hauser Global Law School Program at NYU School of Law, GlobaLex is an electronic publication dedicated to international and foreign research. New and updated research guides published by GlobaLex include:

New research guides:
  • Nuclear Law Research Guide By Linda Tashbook

Updated research guides:

  • The Crisis in Darfur: Researching the Legal Issues by Amy Burchfield
  • An Introduction to Sources for Treaty Research By Mark Engsberg and Mary Beth Chappell
To Access Globalex:

  • Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
  • Then, click on the "International Law" or "Foreign/Comparative Law" link
  • Scroll down, click the "GlobaLex" link


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Monday, October 24, 2011

Interlibrary Loan

Are you writing a paper and the book or journal article you need cannot be obtained at the Law Library or Axinn Library? Please remember that you may request books or articles that we do not have through interlibrary loan. Just go to the Law Library's homepage and click on the "Interlibrary Loan" link. If you have not used this service, you will create your account and then place your loan requests. When the material requested arrives you will be notified by email and can pick up the material at the Circulation Desk. Books are on loan so before the due date drop the books at the Circulation Desk and we will return the book(s) to the lending library.

You only need to create the account once, but you may request interlibrary loans as needed. You can also manage your requests through your account. Check out our policy and talk with a librarian if you have further questions.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Sunday, October 23, 2011

United States Census Bureau QuickFacts Tables

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released updated summary profiles for various geographical areas within the 50 states. The tables include updated information from frequently requested statistics and provide statistics for all counties, cities and towns with more than 5,000 people. They also include information from various Census Bureau programs including the 2010 Census, 2010 American Community Survey and 2007 Survey of Business Owners, as well as student state facts. Access the full updated tables here.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat